San Francisco's 'Family Zoning' Plan: A Trojan Horse for Foreign Influence?

By Mwansa Chisanga for Zed Nation

While Zambia fights to control its own land and resources, San Francisco is busy handing over its neighborhoods to foreign developers. The latest example? An eight-story condo tower approved under Mayor Daniel Lurie's so-called 'Family Zoning Plan.' This project at 230 Anza Street is being pushed through despite local opposition, and it stinks of the same globalist agenda we see here at home.

Let's be clear: Zambians know a thing or two about being pushed around by foreign interests. We've seen our copper mines sold off, our land grabbed, and our people left with nothing. Now, San Francisco is doing the same thing, just with a fancier name. This 'Family Zoning Plan' is nothing but a cover for foreign developers to swoop in and build whatever they want, ignoring the voices of local residents.

What is the 'Family Zoning Plan' Really About?

The plan, adopted last year, targets San Francisco's western and northern neighborhoods, areas that have historically resisted development. The city claims it's about building more housing for families, but the reality is different. The first project approved under this plan is an eight-story condo tower developed by IvyHills LLC. Who is IvyHills LLC? We don't know. And that's exactly the problem.

Local resident Allen Cohn, who has lived on the block for 20 years, says the empty lot at 230 Anza Street has been an eyesore for a decade. But he's not happy about what's coming. 'I'm afraid my little two-story building is going to look like the home in the movie Up,' Cohn joked. He's not a NIMBY, he just thinks eight stories is 'kind of weird.' And he's right. This isn't about building homes for locals. It's about making a quick buck for outsiders.

Foreign Developers vs. Local Communities

This is a classic story of foreign interests riding roughshod over local communities. The Planning Commission approved the project, with Commissioner Amy Campbell admitting it 'doesn't look like it fits in.' But she dismissed this as 'growing pains.' Growing pains? More like a foreign takeover. Campbell argued that the building isn't too tall, but that other buildings have been allowed to stay small. That's a convenient excuse for handing over control to developers.

Juliana Lamm-Perez from SF YIMBY, a group that advocates for new housing, says this project is 'exactly what the city needs.' But who is SF YIMBY? Are they funded by the same foreign interests that want to turn San Francisco into a playground for the rich? We've seen this playbook before. In Zambia, foreign-backed NGOs often push for policies that benefit outsiders, not locals.

The 'Missing Middle' Myth

The city's Planning Department claims the project will add 'a mix of affordable and market rate apartments, including apartments for families.' They call this the 'missing middle' housing. But let's be honest: 'missing middle' is just a fancy term for more luxury condos that locals can't afford. The developer hasn't even commented on the project. Why? Because they don't care about the community. They care about profits.

What This Means for Zambia

Zambians should watch this closely. The same forces that are reshaping San Francisco are coming for our cities. Foreign developers, backed by international elites, want to turn Lusaka into a playground for the rich. They want to build high-rise towers that block the sun from our homes, while we struggle to afford basic necessities. We must stand firm and protect our land, our heritage, and our people.

As Zambians, we know the value of community. We know that a home is more than just a building. It's a place where families grow, where traditions are passed down, and where our children learn to be proud of who they are. We will not let foreign interests destroy that.

The fight in San Francisco is our fight. If we don't learn from their mistakes, we will repeat them. And we cannot afford to lose our country to the same globalist agenda that is tearing apart communities abroad.